Preparation for Study Portfolio

New Beginnings Coursework 1 Preparation for Study Portfolio
Instructions – Read Carefully
This portfolio is made up of SIX tasks. You must complete all tasks.
All answers must be typed onto this document with the questions above. Bullet points under the task provide a guide for your answer.
Tasks 1, 2 and 6 must be typed in full paragraphs with no bullet points or lists. Please check the schedule for hand in date and time.
Task 1 –
Write about the degree course you have chosen (250 words)
Your answer should include:
• why have you chosen this degree/career path
• why have you chosen to come to UEL
• why are you ready for university now (has anything changed to bring you here now?)
• what preparation have you done to ensure success
TYPE YOUR ANSWER HERE
Task 2 –
How do you manage your time to include 15-20 hours of independent study per week? (250 words)
Note that this excludes your 3-hour New Beginnings session
In your answer you could write about:
• how you have changed your usual daily routine to fit in your studies
• the best time and place for you to study
• ways you can work smarter instead of longer
• anything else you feel relevant to the discussion
TYPE YOUR ANSWER HERE
1

Task 3
Fill in the weekly schedule below by typing in each 1-hour box what you do at that time in a ‘normal’ week now that you are on the New Beginnings course.
Show that you are realistic with your time management and are able to dedicate at least 15 hours to independent study each week, not including your 3-hour New Beginnings session.
You must:
• write in every box (use the copy/paste function for repeated activities such as sleep)
• be realistic and include time spent for your responsibilities: family, friends, work etc.
• include your 3-hour New Beginnings session
• double check how many hours of independent study are in your timetable to fill in total
2

TIME
MON
TUE
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
SUN
1.00am
2.00am
3.00am
4.00am
5.00am
6.00am
7.00am
8.00am
9.00am
10.00am
11.00am
12.00pm
1.00pm
3

2.00pm
3.00pm
4.00pm
5.00pm
6.00pm
7.00pm
8.00pm
9.00pm
10.00pm
11.00pm
12.00pm
Total independent study hours = _______________
4

Task 4 – IT skills audit.
Fill in the table below with details of your current ability in using Information Technology and how you will improve your use of key software. LinkedIn Learning has already been completed as an example of the type detail needed for other answers.
Key software:
How would you grade your current ability 1 – 10?
(1= no ability, 10 = master)
What specific functions or areas of this software do you need to learn more about?
How are you going to learn more?
Provide the link to resource and state why it will be useful.
When (realistic date) will you be more able and confident in using the software?
Example
LinkedIn Learning
2
Note, if you put a 10 in this column for any software you are expected to complete the form indicating how you will sustain your proficiency.
I need to learn how to find relevant LinkedIn Learning online video tutorials and how to download resources.
I will arrange to meet on Teams with my friend who already uses LinkedIn Learning.
I will watch and make notes on this online tutorial
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/how-to-use-linkedin- learning/advance-your-skills-with-linkedin- learning?u=56744289
My weekly schedule includes 2 hours per week dedicated to practising and learning more about IT, so I will be more confident and able with LinkedIn Learning by December 2020.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
5

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Moodle
My IT Development Priority: ________________________________________________
Task 5 – Reflective skills audit
New Beginnings covers study skills needed to be a successful student, however each discipline values specific knowledge, skills and behaviours. In order to complete this reflective skills audit you will need to:
• go to uel.ac.uk and search for your degree course web page
• read the detailed information about your course including the types of assessment you will have
• learn what skills, knowledge and behaviours are needed and valued in your chosen discipline
• find and study websites, books and other texts about the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed in your discipline
Remember this is about your studies, not the skills needed to do your job/career. Do not repeat the example given.
6

Give 3 skills, areas of knowledge and/or behaviours necessary to be a successful student in your discipline.
Why is this an important skill, area of knowledge or behaviour for students in your discipline?
(Use personal pronouns I and Me)
Apart from the UEL website, where have you read or learned about this skill, knowledge or behaviour?
Be specific – write the URL, name of the book, author, page number, details of the event or training session etc.
How can you improve/practice this skill knowledge or behaviour? By doing what specifically?
Be specific – do not just write ‘practice more’.
Example
Time management
Because I will have lectures every week and 9 different assessments in the first year. In order to arrive on time and submit all assignments on time I will need very good time management skills.
I have read and taken notes from these websites: https://www.psychologytoday.co m/intl/basics/time-management
https://moodle.uel.ac.uk/mod/bo ok/view.php?id=762477&chapteri d=46604
I can improve my time management skills by sharing my digital or paper based weekly schedule with my friends and family. They will then know when I am busy and we can make plans around my commitments.
1.
7

2.
3.
My Specific Skill Development Priority: ______________________________________________
8

Task 6 –
Write about your ultimate study and/or career goals (250 words) Your answer should include:
• the steps you need to take after completing the New Beginnings course
• any challenges you might face during your undergraduate studies
• the industry you want to enter and why this is a good career choice for you
• the key skills/experiences you need to develop in order to succeed in your chosen career
and how you might gain those skills and experiences You might also include:
• any preparation you have already done for this career choice
9

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